| (WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented today on recent strong criticism of the forthcoming Durban Review Conference on Racism (Durban II). On November 19, Israel’s Foreign Minister announced Israel would not participate in Durban II, saying the conference will “be used as a platform for further anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic activity,” and urged other states not to participate. In early December, the board of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations authorized the group to ask the next U.S. Administration not to participate. On December 11, twenty-five leaders and activists worldwide declared that “the United States should not attend any aspect of the anti-Semitic Durban II Conference.” And on December 16, the Dutch Foreign Minister threatened a boycott, stating “It seems like the sole intention is to criticize Israel and condemn the West…” Ros-Lehtinen has urged the U.S. to stay away from Durban II, proposed legislation to prevent U.S. funds from being used in any way to support Durban II, and held a meeting in June with foreign diplomats, State Department officials, Members of Congress, human rights groups and other non-governmental organizations to discuss an alternative forum to combat discrimination and intolerance. Statement of Ros-Lehtinen:
Because of the insidious efforts of Iran, Cuba, Libya, and other outlaw regimes and the inability or unwillingness of the UN system to prevent the enemies of freedom and human rights from hijacking the agenda, the Durban II conference is firmly on track to be an anti-America, anti-Israel, and anti-Semitic hate-fest. I applaud those foreign diplomats, leading Jewish groups, and bipartisan collection of scholars, statesmen, and activists who have recognized this grim reality and refuse to participate in this farce.
The U.S., European governments, and other responsible nations should join Canada and Israel in refusing to fund or participate in Durban II, thereby denying legitimacy to this toxic gathering. This is the time to stand up against hatred and for our fundamental values.
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